HAVANA - Communist leaders are complaining about the double standards that
party militants are demonstrating. The complaints occurred at a recent
meeting in the municipality of El Cotorro. Presiding was Esteban Lazo, a
member of the party Politburo and secretary general of the Cuban Communist
Party in the Cuban capital.

Officials say some communist militants "don't even have the slightest
influence within their families," aside from work, a situation that
questions the persuasive power of the only official party on the island.

"To create values," said Danay Portales, a high school student, "we must
build through example; to convince others, we must first be convinced
ourselves," he added. Officials expressed concern about the lack of
political activism evident in the debate.